NWR the Cycling Thread

Mark
That argument is rather negated by Quintana accepting the sportsmanship of Dumoulin when Quintana fell. He didn't have to wait, but for Quintana to allow what happened today, and also to instruct his team to ride hard, has shown he has no respect and deserves no respect. If Zakarin, Nibali or Quintana fall, I hope the peloton attack.
regards
Ian
 
This (as well as Nibali's attacks) will make the legend of the 100th Giro and Tom Dumoulin (what a name for a Dutchman...) is still favorite to win it. Plus he showed a lot of resolve on his own. Unfairness happens everywhere in sport.
 
It wasn't entirely clear what happened from the live footage. However, it appeared that Zakarin attacked first. He was pulled back and then the peleton paused before Bahrain-Merida started to push things along.

It was obviously not brilliant sportsmanship. However, I also think that TD could have timed his comfort break better. He suggested post race that he started to feel unwell on top of the Stelvio. If so, he should probably have stopped earlier in the valley rather than at the foot of the final climb. This doesn't excuse what happened of course.
 
They did slow indeed (I did not understand why as it was not clear he was going to the loo, I thought he was sick and vomitted...)... Zakarin then attacked a bit later but the thing is TD took a very long time to do what he had to, I really thought he was going to abandon. However, Nibali only attacked much much later after over half of the climb was done.

A comment from the speaker on the Dumoulin problem "I saw he took a lot of fast sugar on the 1st climb of the Stelvio,... if you take too much you may get this kind of trouble". Not quite sure this was Stephen Roche saying this (maybe the other guy) but he was talking with authority.

This being said,Tom is very far from beaten as he will probably take north of 2 minutes from Nibali and Quintana in the time trial.
 
I hope he shoves victory up their arses. They only slowed long enough to consider their own opportunities.
Quintana above all owed Dumoulin and it seems that no good deed goes unpunished. Zakarin indeed started it, but Movistar and Bahrain (torture specialists) Merida were only too eager to up the pace.
 
Dumoulin just tweeted that he did not expect them to wait and in an interview with Dutch TV said the same, his problem as far as he is concerned. On the point of sportsmanship, Fraile allowed Sanchez to take the Cima Coppi in recognition of Scarponi, in doing so might have cost himself the KOM.
 
He did, but that is because he's a diplomat. His earlier comment tell you what he really though
Dumoulin said he was "very disappointed" and "very angry" his rivals took advantage of his stoppage to launch an attack.
Click to expand...
He clearly believes it to be the right thing to do in his actions when Quintana fell. Actions speak louder than words.
Tell me how you read his reaction as he received the pink jersey...

Fraille indeed very sporting.
 
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Had not seen those comments or the podium ceremony yet, will catch up later. Had there been just one bunch ahead it would have been more clear cut I think. Anyway, I'm hoping he wins on Sunday and it all becomes irrelevant.
 
One has to mentally move on I suppose and Dumoulin carries himself brilliantly under such circumstances

If there was any doubt about Quintana's ethics from his previous Giro, this has answered it. Like many I'd found his manner very calm and here was someone it was easy to warm to. That opinion has changed.

Apparently Zakarin was called back from his attack by his DS, so if believed gives some excuse, though he was happy enough to join the attack from Quintana and Nibali, so he didn't do a good job at convincing them to wait.
 
From a very brief look at the highlights on YouTube they waited, it was clear he wasn't getting back on any time soon and then they continued the race. I am no great fan of Quintana or Nibali but seemed fair enough today and maybe Dumoulin's reflection in the cold light of day is right on this occasion.
 
Keith,
I think many of our British friends have shown a lot of support and sympathy for our European compatriot
and his problems. I felt loved again!
Moreover, Dumoulin will get much more glory if he wins it now (as is likely) while some people were starting to think the result was a foregone conclusion.
So patience and your fanship will be rewarded...(Dumoulin, his name tells me he is from French protestant ascendency and, being Dutch, may have something to do with South Africa...an apatrid really)
 
Antoine Singer said:
Moreover, Dumoulin will get much more glory if he wins it now (as is likely) while some people were starting to think the result was a foregone conclusion.
So patience and your fanship will be rewarded...(Dumoulin, his name tells me he is from French protestant ascendency and, being Dutch, may have something to do with South Africa...an apatrid really)
Click to expand...

Not sure about this. That must have taken a lot out of him, riding that climb on his own, and the stress of trying to limit the damage and retain the maglia rosa. We'll see if he is able to stay with the others, but I fear the worst.

Completely agree with Ian. Quintana and Nibali have history here. Disgraceful.
 
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